The Los Angeles Lakers were starting to build some momentum by midway through March of the 2022-23 season. They had won eight of their first 11 games following the day of the trade deadline, but they were coming off a disappointing 112-108 loss to the New York Knicks that dampened that momentum.
Anthony Davis had combined for just 25 points in the last two games, and there was the usual muttering about him supposedly being lazy and lacking the motivation to play up to his potential.
On March 14, the Lakers visited the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis’ former team and one they needed to stay ahead of in the standings in order to have any chance of making the playoffs.
With LeBron James out due to a right foot injury, Davis showed leadership by scoring 35 efficient points and grabbing 17 rebounds. He scored 14 of those points in the first quarter as Los Angeles propelled itself to a 39-24 lead and never looked back.
Although New Orleans chipped away at that lead throughout the second half, Davis never let it get close enough, as the Lakers came away with an important 123-108 win.
Ever since coming to the Lakers, Davis has had some big games against his former team. This one went a long way in getting the Lakers back to the postseason after a one-year absence.